California Code, Fish and Game Code - FGC § 1054.2

Every person while engaged in taking any bird, mammal, fish, amphibian, or reptile shall have on his or her person or in his or her immediate possession, or where otherwise specifically required by law to be kept, any license, tag, stamp, or permit that is required in order to take the bird, mammal, fish, amphibian, or reptile. In the case of a person diving from a boat, the license or permit may be kept on the boat, or in the case of a person diving from shore, the license or permit may be kept within 500 yards of the shore.